Abstract: The inhibitors, obtainable from tissue or secretions of leeches typically of the order Rhynchobdellida, has the following terminal sequence: NH.sub.2 -Lys-Leu-Leu-Pro-Cys-Lys-Glu-Y-His-Gln-Gly-Ile-Pro-Asn-Pro-Arg- wherein Y represents any amino acid sequence; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, derivative or bioprecursor of said sequence, or an analogue or homologue thereof. Because of their extreme potency in the nanomolar range, they can be used to treat a number of diseases where protein cross-linking is important. They can be used for the treatment of Crohn's disease, tumor implantation, atherosclerosis, thrombotic microangiophathy, fibrous growths of the skin, acne, scar formation, membranous glomerulonephrits, cataracts, or infection with microfilarial nematodes. In particular, they can be used to reduce the stability of thrombi so that they are more susceptible to lysis by thrombolytic agents.

Abstract: A method for preventing the formation of platelet-rich clots or thrombus, and for deaggregating platelet-rich clots or thrombus, using hementin, a polypeptide derived from leech salivary glands. Hementin may be administered for this purpose in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient, with or without additional anticoagulants such as hirudin, hirudin analogues, or an inhibitor of factor Xa.

Abstract: The inhibitor is protein derived leech tissue or leech secretions (for example, from Hirudo medicinalis), which is capable of binding to native collagen, in such a way that substantially no cleavage breakdown products of coilagen molecules occur on SDS-PAGE. The protein substantially inhibits collagen-induced platelet aggregation or adhesion, has a molecular weight of 60-70 kilodaltons in reduced form and has optimum activity at pH 8.0.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel protease-inhibitor,--which we called GELIN--and to pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations thereof, containing this compound. GELIN is an inhibitor of human and porcine leucocyte elastase and chymotrypsin. GELIN has specific antibiotic properties. It also relates to the novel use of EGLIN, another chymotrypsin-inhibitor in cosmetic preparations.

Abstract: A method of treating thrombosis with a pharmaceutical formulation comprising an endo-beta-glucuronidase, preferably leech-derived, heparin and a pharmacologically acceptable diluent, carrier or excipient which does not prevent the interaction between the heparin and the endo-beta-glucuronidase is disclosed. The formulation, which is disclosed, can also comprise a clot-lytic agent such as tissue plasminogen activator. Endo-beta-glucuronidase, unlike other hyaluronidases, has been found not to be inhibited by heparin.

Abstract: The collagenase is like tissue collagenases in that it cleaves collagen at a single site. The collagenase which has a molecular weight of about 50 k daltons, specifically inhibits collagen-induced platelet aggregation, with substantially no effect on platelet count or size, and may be used alone or together with another platelet aggregation inhibitor. The latter may also be a leech-derived biochemical, such as an apyrase, or an inhibitor of the release of platelet aggregation factor by leucocytes.

Abstract: The hyaluronidase, which is a hyaluronic acid-specific endo-.beta.-glucuronidase, having a molecular weight of about 28,500 in non-reduced form, is derived from buffalo leeches (that is, leeches of the sub-family Hirudinariinae, such as the species Hirudinaria manillensis or Poecilobdella granulosa).The hyaluronidase, which cleaves hyaluronic acid, but not chondroitin, chondroitin -4- sulphate, chondroitin -6- sulphate or heparin, is considerably more stable at high temperatures and extremes of pH than known leech hyaluronidase. It has a wide range of uses where breakdown of hyaluronic acid is required; of particular interest is in pharmaceutical or veterinary formulations, either as an active agent or a spreading or percutaneous factor. The hyaluronidase is useful for stimulating flow of physiological fluids in the eye (for example, in the treatment of glaucoma).

Abstract: Novel fibrinolytic factors obtained from the salivary glands of Haementeria ghilianii. Proteins having molecular weights under about 100,000 are isolated from the salivary glands of H. ghilianii. The proteins show cathodic mobility in electrophoresis and uninhibited peptidase activity with fibrinogen in plasma.